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Media Information Press Release of 10 July 2004 About the Lucerne FUEL CELL FORUM 2004 28 June - 2 July 2004, Lucerne / Switzerland This was already the ninth successful international fuel cell meeting of the European Fuel Cell Forum. The highly successful Lucerne FUEL CELL FORUM 2004 at the Culture and Congress Center of Luzerne, Switzerland, lasted from June 28 to July 2. This year’s Lucerne FUEL CELL FORUM was well-attended with 520 participants representing 35 countries of all continents. It was again the highlight of European fuel cell conferences. The Forum included the two parallel conferences "THE FUEL CELL WORLD" and the "6th EUROPEAN SOFC FORUM" with 165 oral presentations in three parallel conferences and 60 posters. Thirty-four exhibitors presented their fuel cell products and components. Also, newcomers to the field could gain a comprehensive introduction in a Tutorial. First-time participants came from Estonia, Georgia, Thailand, Singapore, India, and Egypt. The Christian Friedrich Schoenbein Medal of Honor was awarded to Professor John Kilner of the Royal Institute of Technology in London in recognition of his many years of solid oxide fuel cell materials research. The prize is awarded to honor the Swiss Scientist who in 1838 discovered the fuel cell effect, while William R. Grove is correctly remembered as inventor of the fuel cell for presenting the first working fuel cell generator in 1845. One of the topics of the Lucerne FUEL CELL FORUM 2004 was focused on fuel cells for sustainable energy future. This included the use of biomass as a fuel source for fuel cells. Several presentations dealt with the use of biofuels in fuel cells. In a sustainable future such fuels will become an important source of energy. In addition, the Lucerne FUEL CELL FORUM 2004 featured a number of developments which could become important in a sustainable future: residential electricity storage units based on supercapacitor technology, or an automobile that is powered by compressed air. The vehicle, developed in France, is propelled via pressurized (300 bar or 5000 psi) air stored in a tank under the vehicle's chassis. Motion is obtained by expanding the air in an efficient four-stage expansion engine. At night this engine is used as compressor to refill the air tank. Surplus and low-cost night power is used for cost-effective transportation during the day. Forum participants praised the organizers not only for the venue place and the high quality of the technical presentations, but also for the candid, honest discussion of key issues facing the fuel cell industry and a sustainable future. The debates at the Lucerne FUEL CELL FORUMS are guided by physics, not by wishful thinking of fuel cell promoters, political decisions or public programs. This year's Forum created a realistic base with regard to the contribution that fuel cells and related sciences can make to solve worldwide energy problems. The proceedings of both conferences of the Lucerne FUEL CELL FORUM 2004 are available and can be ordered from the European Fuel Cell Forum, Post Box 99, CH-5452 Oberrohrdorf/Switzerland (www.efcf.com). Next year's Lucerne FUEL CELL FORUM 2004 is scheduled for July 4 to July 8, 2005. A copy of any media reports resulting from the use of this text is respectfully requested. >> back to Media Overview |
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